Although boasting 17,000 islands, Indonesia may come to mind with lots of islands and beaches and sea, but you be surprised that it has just as many mountains. Being an archipelago that is situated at the confluence of the tectonic plates – Asian, Australian, Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, it has as many as 129 volcanoes making it the country with 13 percent of the world’s volcanoes. These volcanoes encircling the stretch of Indonesia has a name with a cool ring to it – Indonesia Ring of Fire.The volcanoes, some active (some very active) and some not, provides a naturally stunning scenery unlike any other. Some of the mountains are situated within a large volcanic lake or some with craters that spurt blue fire.The highest peak in Indonesia is Puncak Jaya in Papua while the largest volcanic lake is the Lake Tobe in Sumatra.

Here are Top 10 Volcano Mountains in Indonesia for you to visit : 

1.Mount Semeru

Mount Semeru is the tallest mountain in Java, located at the east. It is also known as Mahameru by the locals which means The Great Mountain, deriving from the mystical Hindu-Buddhist mountain of Meru and Sumeru the gods. Climbing to the peak takes two hiking days and it is relatively easy for seasoned hikers. The only challenge is the last slope up to the summit. Mount Semeru is an active volcano with constants smoke from it’s crater.

2.Mount Kerinci

Mount Kerinci is the highest volcano in Indonesia and the highest peak in Sumatra. It is located within the Kerinci Seblat National Park that is home to the endangered species – Sumatran Tiger and Sumatran Rhinoceros. It is still a very much active volcano with constant annual activities. The climb up this mountain would take 3 days 2 nights to reach the summit, or one day less if not. There are 15 lakes surrounding this mountain with one of lake being the highest lake in Southeast Asia at 1996 m which is called Gunung Tujuh Lake (Seven Mountains Lake – there are 7 peaks surrounding this lake). The biggest lake here is the Kerinci Lake at 4200 hectare.

3. Mount Batur

One of the more popular mountains in Bali, Mount Batur is an active volcano standing at 1700m, many travelers hike a do this short but can be quite tough 2 hours hike up the mountain to have a sunrise view over Bali and its surrounding islands. Getting here from Ubud might take some time but the climb and the view of the landscape and Lake Batur is all worth it in the end. It is also one of the popular activities to do when you are visiting Bali long enough to get bored of the beaches and sea and want to do some excursions.

4. Mount Rinjani

Mount Rinjani in Lombok is the second highest volcano in Indonesia at 3726 m. It is also among one of the most active volcanoes here. It ha a caldera of 50 km square with a crater lake in it called Segara Anak. Many pilgrims come yearly to this lake to make offerings to the gods and the lake. To hike this volcano mountain would take two days of demanding trekking but the view at the summit is all so worth it. Due to Lombok being one of the emerging travel places in Indonesia, you will find quite a number of travelers scaling this mountain with you but fret not as the beauty is for all to marvel at together.

5. Mount Krakatoa or Krakatau

Krakatoa or also known as Krakatau, is a volcanic island situated in the Sunda Straits between Java and Sumatra of Indonesia. The eruption of Mount Krakatoa in 1883 had been noted as one of the most violent volcanic events ever recorded. The huge explosion blast over 4,000km all the way to Australia and India. This massive explosion cause giant tsunami and the dust from it stays in the stratosphere for several years after while killing more than 35,000 people. Mount Krakatoa is still very much an active volcano and scaling it takes precaution and would require camping a night at Rakata Island, where you can enjoy the view of Krakatoa eruption at night.

Read more on https://allindonesiatravel.com